Windy City West Event Attracts Hollywood Stars and Greek Talent

As comedian Tom Dreesen put it, Chicago people like to hang out and they always find the time to do so, especially amongst each other. Dreesen is the informal host of “Windy City West”, the event where Chicagoans of the entertainment industry who live in Los Angeles gather all together to celebrate their hometown and mingle. This year the 25th Annual Windy City West event took place on Monday March 5th at M Street Kitchen in Santa Monica, CA.

Cinespace Chicago Film Studios was one of the sponsors of the party and owner Nick Mirkopoulos made sure that some Greek celebrities were on the guest list. Kosta Mandylor, Alexis Georgoulis, Billy Zane and Marilu Henner were some of the most well known Greeks and Greek-Americans that attended the event, that brings together Chicagoans of the entertainment industry that live and work in Los Angeles.

Besides mingling, this event is also a great opportunity for the city of Chicago and the State of Illinois to be promoted as a filming location to key people of the entertainment industry.

Actor Costa Mandylor and Cinespace VP Jim Mirkopoulos

For the celebration of Chicago and its alums in the entertainment industry in LA, the best of Chicago cuisine was – literally – flown in for over 400 film and television professionals. This year the party also featured the first Windy City West “Man of the Year” Award to Chicago Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts.

The hosting committee of the event includes such well known names as Andrew Alexander, Jennifer Beals, Jim Belushi, and Marilu Henner among others.

Some of the Chicago Restaurants that participated in the event are Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse & Bar, Eli’s Cheesecake Company and the famous Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse.